So often of late, as I've been out and about, driving usually, one thing I've noticed about this time of year in Perth are the magnificent gums. It almost seems that with the extreme heat they shed their bark in an effort to keep cool. .... exposing perfectly smooth gleaming salmon, white and multi coloured trunks. A time or two I have had to make sure I don't get too distracted while driving, and swerve off the road...... or I snap myself out of a brief daydream where I picture myself on a fold up chair, sketch pad in hand right next to a busy highway trying to capture the jaw dropping beauty, majesty and strong physical presence these big beauties exude. Through vast ages and cultures, trees have had reverential status, a sacred symbolism attached to them. And no wonder. I am in total awe of the age of these ones, as well. I hope they will still stand long after I am gone, and give others pause for thought about the passage of time.